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The N614 road in Herstappe, Limburg, was plagued by severe reflective cracking. To address this without replacing the entire road, AWV opted for Fortifix®, a crack-preventing asphalt reinforcement. Jan Van Gestel, project leader at AWV, shares the challenges they faced and how Fortifix® offered the ideal solution.
“Our biggest concern was finding a reinforcement that sticks to the surface,” says Van Gestel. “But it also had to be recyclable when the road is fully renewed.”
Reflective cracking, where cracks in the underlying layers propagate to the surface, is a common issue in asphalt pavements. The goal was to extend the pavement’s life by using reinforcement that prevents cracks from worsening under traffic loading, all without needing a full replacement.
“Fortifix® lays perfectly smooth,” explains Van Gestel. “Unlike other meshes, it adheres perfectly and can be easily separated from the asphalt later, making it 100% recyclable.”
Fortifix® had already been included in standard specification documents and thoroughly tested by the Research Center for Road Construction (OCW), which gave AWV the confidence to implement it. Its ability to reinforce the asphalt overlay and extend pavement life made it the ideal solution.
Using Fortifix® on the N614 road has reinforced the asphalt layer, preparing it to withstand heavy traffic loading. The grid structure prevents cracks from spreading to the surface, significantly extending the pavement’s service life.
Fortifix® also simplifies future recycling. The steel grid’s magnetic properties allow it to be easily separated from the asphalt during the recycling process, ensuring both materials can be reused.
The renovation of the N614 road in Herstappe underscores the effectiveness of Fortifix® as an asphalt reinforcement solution. By preventing reflective cracking, improving the tensile strength of asphalt pavements, and extending pavement life, Fortifix® proves to be a valuable investment for road construction. With Fortifix®, AWV ensured that the N614 road will remain durable and reliable for years, while also making future maintenance and recycling more efficient.
